Information Input Device

ABSTRACT

An information input device ( 1 ) includes a touch panel ( 2 ), an image display ( 6 ), and a sensor section ( 12 ) for detecting touched contact positions on the touch panel ( 2 ). A detection region of the touch panel ( 2 ), surrounded by the sensor section ( 12 ), is divided into a rectangular main region ( 10 ) and at least one sub region ( 14 ), which has a smaller area than the main region ( 10 ), is separated from the main region ( 10 ), and extends along at least one edge thereof. Images are displayed by the image display ( 6 ) and contact positions are detected in the main region ( 10 ). Only the presence or absence of contact is detected in the at least one sub region ( 14 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information input device thatutilizes a touch panel. More particularly, the present invention relatesto an information input device having a main region and sub regions, asregions within which contact with the surface of the touch panel isdetected.

BACKGROUND ART

There are known information input devices that utilize touch panels.Examples of such information input devices include those utilized asATM's, and those utilized at ticket vending machines at train stations.There is also a known table shaped touch panel, as a newer type ofinformation input device (refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of InternationalPublication No. WO01/40923, for example). In this touch panel, imagesare displayed within an area surrounded by a sensor section of the touchpanel. The touch panel is configured to accept input of necessaryinformation by touching (contacting) portions of the image display area.The table shaped touch panel is used in cases that a plurality of peoplesurround the table to conduct meetings and necessary information is tobe displayed during the meetings, for example. The position of a fingerthat touches the touch panel is detected by the sensor section, andinput of information corresponding to the position is enabled. At thesame time, desired information is displayed within the image displayarea of the touch panel.

There is another conventional type of touch panel, in which a buttonpanel created by software and a main panel are displayed on an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) (refer to FIG. 4 of Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 7(1995)-110742, for example). In this type of touchpanel, detection of contact positions is enabled in both the buttonpanel region and the main panel region.

In addition, the present applicant has proposed an acoustic type contactdetecting apparatus as a touch panel (refer to FIG. 1 of JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-164289).

The conventional touch panels disclosed in International Publication No.WO01/40923 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-164289are not provided with external switches, such as those for booting up aPC (Personal Computer) or for adjusting the screens thereof. The touchpanel disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-110742is provided with the button panel in addition to the main panel.Therefore, input corresponding to operations of external switches can beperformed by operating the button panel. However, a portion of thedisplay surface of the LCD is utilized as the button panel, andaccordingly the area of the display region for necessary information isdecreased. If a display region having a sufficiently large area is to besecured, there is a problem that the entire device will become large.

The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoingcircumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide thefunctions of hardware external switches within a touch panel in astreamlined manner, while maintaining the area of a display region of animage display.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a plurality ofsub regions within a touch panel with a simple structure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aninformation input device having a streamlined outward appearance,without bezels at the periphery of a touch panel.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An information input device of the present invention comprises:

a touch panel;

an image display; and

a sensor section for detecting contact positions on the touch panel; andis characterized by:

a detection region of the touch panel surrounded by the sensor sectionbeing divided into a rectangular main region and at least one subregion, which has a smaller area than the main region, is separated fromthe main region, and extends along at least one edge thereof;

images being displayed by the image display and contact positions beingdetected in the main region; and

only the presence or absence of contact being detected in the at leastone sub region.

A configuration may be adopted, wherein the at least one sub region ofthe information input device of the present invention comprises:

a first sub region, which is separated from, adjacent to, and extendsalong a first edge of the main region;

a second sub region, which is separated from, adjacent to, and extendsalong a second edge of the main region perpendicular to the first edge;and

a third sub region, which is positioned at an intersection of thedirections in which the first edge and the second edge extend, andseparated from the first sub region and the second sub region.

The touch panel may be an acoustic type touch panel; and the sensorsection may comprise reflective arrays surrounding the detection region,for reflecting acoustic waves. The reflective arrays may be separatedfrom both the main region and the at least one sub region, or from oneof the main region and the at least one sub region.

It is preferable for the at least one sub region to be utilized as atleast one switch. Detection of operation of the at least one switch maybe performed by a controller.

According to the information input device of the present invention, thedetection region of the touch panel, surrounded by the sensor section,is divided into the rectangular main region and at least one sub regionhaving a smaller area than the main region. Images are displayed by theimage display and contact positions are detected in the main region,while only the presence or absence of contact is detected in the atleast one sub region. Therefore, a display region of the image displayis secured in the touch panel, and the functions of external switchesfor hardware can be provided within the at least one sub region in astreamlined manner.

The at least one sub region may comprise: the first sub region, which isseparated from, adjacent to, and extends along the first edge of themain region; the second sub region, which is separated from, adjacentto, and extends along the second edge of the main region perpendicularto the first edge; and the third sub region, which is positioned at anintersection of the directions in which the first edge and the secondedge extend, and separated from the first sub region and the second subregion. In this case, three external switches can be obtained by asimple structure.

The touch panel may be an acoustic type touch panel; and the sensorsection may comprise the reflective arrays surrounding the detectionregion, for reflecting acoustic waves. In this case, an informationinput device having a sleek outward appearance without bezels at theperiphery thereof can be obtained. In addition, functions equivalent tothose of a “Shift” key and a “Ctrl” key of a PC keyboard, or equivalentto that of right clicking a PC mouse, can be obtained.

The reflective arrays may be separated from both the main region and theat least one sub region, or from one of the main region and the at leastone sub region. In this case, received signals are clearly separatedbetween the main region and the at least one sub region, facilitatingsignal processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view that illustrates the concept ofan information input device according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a touch panel as an example of the presentinvention, having the same concept as the information input device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a front view of the touch panel as an example of the presentinvention, having the same concept as the information input device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a graph that illustrates the relationship between receivedintensities and propagating paths, in the case that surface acousticwaves emitted from a transmitting transducer propagate along the X axisdirection when there is nothing in contact with a detection region.

FIG. 3B is a graph that illustrates the relationship between receivedintensities and propagating paths, in the case that surface acousticwaves emitted from the transmitting transducer propagate along the Yaxis direction when there is nothing in contact with the detectionregion.

FIG. 4 is a front view that illustrates signal paths which are blockedwhen the center of a main region is touched.

FIG. 5A is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensities ofsurface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the main region istouched, and indicates a detected position in the X axis direction.

FIG. 5B is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensities ofsurface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the main region istouched, and indicates a detected position in the Y axis direction.

FIG. 6 is a front view that illustrates signal paths which are blockedwhen the center of a sub region is touched.

FIG. 7A is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensities ofsurface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the sub region istouched, and indicates a detected position in the X axis direction.

FIG. 7B is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensities ofsurface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the sub region istouched, and indicates a detected position in the Y axis direction.

FIG. 8 is a front view that illustrates signal paths which are blockedwhen the center of a sub region is touched.

FIG. 9A is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensities ofsurface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the sub region istouched, and indicates a detected position in the X axis direction.

FIG. 9B is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensities ofsurface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the sub region istouched, and indicates a detected position in the Y axis direction.

FIG. 10 is a front view that illustrates signal paths which are blockedwhen the center of a sub region is touched.

FIG. 11A is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensitiesof surface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the sub regionis touched, and indicates a detected position in the X axis direction.

FIG. 11B is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensitiesof surface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the sub regionis touched, and indicates a detected position in the Y axis direction.

FIG. 12 is a front view that illustrates signal paths which are blockedwhen the center of the main region and the center of a sub region aretouched simultaneously.

FIG. 13A is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensitiesof surface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the main regionand the center of the sub region are touched simultaneously, andindicates a detected position in the X axis direction.

FIG. 13B is a graph that illustrates the shape of received intensitiesof surface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the main regionand the center of the sub region are touched simultaneously, andindicates a detected position in the Y axis direction.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an information input device according to an embodiment ofthe present invention will be described with reference to the attacheddrawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view that illustrates theconcept of an information input device 1 (hereinafter, simply referredto as “device 1”) according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The device 1 has an outer appearance similar to that of theinformation input device disclosed in the aforementioned documentWO01/40923A1, of which the applicant is the present applicant. Thedevice 1 comprises: a circular touch panel 2′; and four legs 4 thatsupport the touch panel 2′. A projector 6 is provided beneath the touchpanel 2′ so as to project images onto the touch panel 2′ from below.Note that a controller (control section) for controlling the projectedimages and a computer section are omitted from FIG. 1. A screen 8 whichis projected onto the touch panel 2′ is rectangular in shape. The touchpanel 2′ is of the ultrasonic type. Transmitting transducers 16 andreceiving transducers 18 (refer to FIG. 2B) , which will be describedlater, and electrical cables (not shown) for connecting the transducers16 and 18 to the controller and the like are housed within protectivecovers 4 a of the legs 4.

Next, a rectangular touch panel having the same concept as the circulartouch panel 2′ of FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate a touch panel 2according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A isa plan view, and FIG. 2B is a front view. The aforementioned screen 8,which has been projected by the projector 6, corresponds to arectangular main region 10. In the following description, the directionsup, down, left, and right will be the directions as illustrated in FIG.2B, for the sake of convenience. In addition, the horizontal directionwithin FIG. 2B will be referred to as “the X axis direction”, and thevertical direction within FIG. 2B will be referred to as “the Y axisdirection”.

A reflective array 12 a, which is separated from and parallel to anupper edge 10 a of the main region 10, is formed in the vicinity of theupper edge 10 a at substantially the same length thereof. The reflectivearray 12 a reflects surface acoustic waves (acoustic waves) transmittedfrom a transmitting transducer 16 b, changes the direction ofpropagation thereof at a 90° angle, and leads them to a receivingtransducer 18 b. The reflective array 12 a is an elongate region formedby a great number of ridges, which are diagonal with respect to thereflecting direction and are extremely low in height. Only a smallnumber of ridges are illustrated in FIG. 2B, in order to illustrate thepaths if surface acoustic waves more clearly. However, the ridges aredensely provided in actuality. A similar reflective array 12 b, which isseparated from and parallel to a right edge 10 b of the main region 10,is formed in the vicinity of the right edge 10 b at substantially thesame length thereof.

A sub region 14 c (first sub region) is formed along a lower edge 10 cof the main region 10, at a position in the vicinity of the lower edge10 c. The sub region 14 c is wider than the width of the reflectivearrays 12 a and 12 b, substantially of the same length as the lower edge10 c, and has an area smaller than that of the main region 10. A subregion 14 d (second sub region) is formed along a left edge 10 d of themain region 10, at a position in the vicinity of the left edge 10 d.Further, a sub region 14 e (third sub region) having a small area isformed at an intersection of the directions in which the sub region 14 cand the sub region 14 d extend, separated from the sub regions 14 c and14 d. The sub regions 14 c, 14 d, and 14 e are positioned outside themain region 10, which corresponds to the screen 8 formed by theprojector 6. Accordingly, the area of the region of the projected screenis not decreased by the sub regions 14 c, 14 d, and 14 e. The subregions 14 c, 14 d, and 14 e are separated from each other in order toprevent contact at the borders therebetween, thereby facilitatingdetection, or in order to prevent erroneous operations. Reflectivearrays 12 c and 12 d, which are separated from and parallel to the subregions 14 c and 141, respectively, are formed at the sides of the subregions 14 c and 14 d opposite the main region 10 at substantially thesame lengths thereof, respectively. Note that the sub regions 14 c, 14d, and 14 e will be collectively referred to as sub regions 14.

Next, reflective arrays 12 e, 12 f, 12 g, and 12 h, which are formed inthe vicinities of the first, second, and third sub regions 14 c, 14 d,and 14 e such that surface acoustic waves propagate within the subregions 14, will be described. The reflective array 12 e is ofsubstantially the same length as the width of the sub region 14 c, andis provided as an adjacent and separated extension of the reflectivearray 12 b at the lower end thereof. The reflective array 12 f isprovided as an adjacent and separated extension of the reflective array12 c at the left end thereof. The reflective array 12 f is at least of alength corresponding to the widths of the sub regions 14 d and 14 e. Thereflective array 12 g is of a length corresponding to the width of thesub region 14 c, and is provided at an intersection of the directions inwhich the reflective array 12 d and the sub region 14 c extend. Thereflective array 12 h is provided adjacent to the upper end of the subregion 14 d, as a separated extension of the reflective array 12 a. Theaforementioned reflective arrays 12 a through 12 h will be collectivelyreferred to as “reflective arrays 12” (sensor section). The reflectivearrays 12 are configured as a whole to surround a region that includesthe main region 10 and the sub regions 14, that is, a detection region.In other words, the detection region, which is surrounded by thereflective arrays 12, is divided into the main region 10 and the subregions 14.

A transmitting transducer 16 a is provided in the vicinity of the upperend of the reflective array 12 d, at a position separated from the upperend of the reflective array 12 d and along the direction in which thereflective array 12 d extends. A transmitting transducer 16 a isprovided in the vicinity of the upper end of the reflective array 12 d,at a position separated from the upper end of the reflective array 12 dand along the direction in which the reflective array 12 d extends.

Another transmitting transducer 16 b is provided in the vicinity of theright end of the reflective array 12 c, at a position along thedirection in which the reflective array 12 c extends. A receivingtransducer 18 a is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of thereflective array 12 b, at a position along the direction in which thereflective array 12 b extends. Another receiving transducer 18 b isprovided in the vicinity of the right end of the reflective array 12 a,at a position along the direction in which the reflective array 12 aextends.

Next, how surface acoustic waves which are transmitted from thetransmitting transducers 16 (16 a, 16 b) propagate within the detectionregion will be described. First, the surface acoustic waves which aretransmitted from the transducer 16 b and caused to propagate in the Xdirection, that is, along the reflective array 12, propagate across theentire detection region at substantially the same intensities, by beingreflected at 90° angles by the reflective array 12 c. For example, thesurface acoustic waves pass through a path 20 a within the detectionregion at a position comparatively close to the transmitting transducer16 b, pass through a path 20 b at an intermediate position, and passthrough a path 20 c at a position comparatively far from thetransmitting transducer 16 b. The directions of these paths are changedat 90° angles by the reflective array 12 a, and the surface acousticwaves are caused to propagate until they reach the receiving transducer18 b. Note that the paths 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c are merely examples, andthe entirety of the detection region is substantially covered by thesurface acoustic waves propagating through a great number of paths. Therelationship between the paths of received signals and the intensitiesof the received signals will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and3B.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are graphs that illustrate the relationship betweenreceived intensities of surface acoustic waves emitted from thetransmitting transducers 16 and propagating paths, when no fingers aretouching the detection region. FIG. 3A illustrates a case in which thesurface acoustic waves propagate in the X direction, and FIG. 3Billustrates a case in which the surface acoustic waves propagate in theY direction. Note that in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the horizontal axisrepresents time or the length of the paths, and the vertical axisrepresents received signal intensities. The flat portion indicated by X1in the graph G1 of FIG. 3A indicates the intensity of surface acousticwaves that propagate across the main region 10. It can be seen that thesurface acoustic waves propagate across the main region 10 at a uniformintensity. The depression indicated by X2, where no signal is beingreceived, corresponds to a gap S1 between the reflective array 12 c andthe reflective array 12 f, illustrated in FIG. 2B. The surface acousticwaves that pass through the gap Si and continue to propagate in the Xdirection are reflected by the reflective array 12 f, and appear as anarrow portion X3 having the same intensity as the portion X1.

Next, surface acoustic waves that are caused to propagate in the Ydirection will be described. Surface acoustic waves, which are emittedfrom the transmitting transducer 16 a along the reflective array 12 dpropagate to the receiving transducer 18 a via paths 22 a, 22 b, and 22c illustrated in FIG. 2B, for example. The intensities of the surfaceacoustic waves at this time are illustrated in FIG. 3B. The flat portionof graph G2 indicated by Y1 represents the intensity of the surfaceacoustic waves that pass through the main region 10, along the paths 22a, 22 b, and the like. The depression indicated by Y2 corresponds to agap D2 between the reflective array 12 d and the reflective array 12 g.A portion Y3, having the same intensity as the portion Y1, representsthe intensity of received surface acoustic waves, which have passedthrough the gap S2 and are reflected by the reflective array 12 g.

Next, a case in which an object contacts the main region 10 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5B. FIG. 4 is afront view that illustrates signal paths which are blocked when thecenter of the main region 10 is touched. FIGS. 5A and 5B are graphs thatillustrate the shapes of received intensities of surface acoustic wavesin the case that the center of the main region 10 is touched, andindicate detected positions in the X axis direction and in the Y axisdirection, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the case that acontact position 24 at the center of the main region 10 is touched,surface acoustic waves that propagate along paths 24 a and 26 a areblocked. That is, the surface acoustic waves that propagate along thepath 24 a, from among the surface acoustic waves emitted in the X axisdirection from the transmitting transducer 16 b, are blocked, and thedrop in the received signal appears as a depression 24 b in graph G3 ofFIG. 5A. The depression 24 b appears at the substantial center of aregion X1. That is, this indicates that the touched contact position isat the center of the X coordinate of the main region 10. At the sametime, the surface acoustic waves that propagate along the path 26 a,from among the surface acoustic waves emitted in the Y axis directionfrom the transmitting transducer 16 a, are blocked, and the drop in thereceived signal appears as a depression 26 b at the center of a regionY1 in graph G4 of FIG. 5B. The detection results indicated by the graphsG3 and G4 are calculated by a controller (not shown), and it isrecognized that the center of the main region 10 has been touched. Thatis, the touched contact position 24 is specified by the combination of Xcoordinates and Y coordinates.

The steps which are undertaken for a desired image or the like to bedisplayed when the main region 10 is touched as illustrated in FIG. 4are as follows. First, the controller (not shown) detects the touchedcontact position 24 from changes in signals received by the receivingtransducers 18 a and 18 b. Next, the controller transmits the touchedcontact position 24 to a computer (not shown, hereinafter referred to as“PC”) by serial transmission, and an application within the PC executesprocedures to display an image. Thereby, desired data (image) isdisplayed in the main region 10.

Next, a case in which the center of the sub region 14 c is touched willbe described with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7B. FIG. 6 is afront view that illustrates signal paths which are blocked when thecenter of the sub region 14 c is touched. FIGS. 7A and 7B are graphsthat illustrate the shapes of received intensities of surface acousticwaves in the case that the center of the sub region 14 c is touched, andindicate detected positions in the X axis direction and in the Y axisdirection, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the case that acontact position 28 at the center of the sub region 14 c is touched,surface acoustic waves that propagate along a path 28 a, from among thesurface acoustic waves emitted in the X axis direction from thetransmitting transducer 16 b, are blocked. At the same time, surfaceacoustic waves that propagate along a path 30 a, from among the surfaceacoustic waves emitted in the Y axis direction from the transmittingtransducer 16 a, are blocked. As illustrated in graph G5 of FIG. 7A, adrop in the received signal appears as a depression 28 b at the centerof a region X1. In addition, as illustrated in graph G6 of FIG. 7B,output within a region Y3 drops to approximately half that of thedetected value indicated by region Y3 of FIG. 3B. It is recognized thatthe center of the sub region 14 c has been touched, based on thesedetection results.

Next, a case in which a contact position 32 at the center of the subregion 14 d is touched will be described with reference to FIG. 8, FIG.9A, and FIG. 9B. FIG. 8 is a front view that illustrates signal pathswhich are blocked when the center of the sub region 14 d is touched.FIGS. 9A and 9B are graphs that illustrate the shapes of receivedintensities of surface acoustic waves in the case that the center of thesub region 14 d is touched, and indicate detected positions in the Xaxis direction and in the Y axis direction, respectively. In the casethat the contact position 32 is touched, surface acoustic waves thatpropagate along a path 32 a, from among the surface acoustic wavesemitted in the X axis direction from the transmitting transducer 16 b,are blocked. At the same time, surface acoustic waves that propagatealong a path 34 a, from among the surface acoustic waves emitted in theY axis direction from the transmitting transducer 16 a, are blocked.Output within a region X3 of graph G7 drops to approximately half, and adepression 34 b is detected at the center of a region Y1 in graph G8. Itis judged that the touched contact position 32 is at the center of thesub region 14 d, based on these detection results.

Next, a case in which a contact position 36 within the sub region 14 eis touched will be described with reference to FIG. 10, FIG. 11A, andFIG. 11B. FIG. 10 is a front view that illustrates signal paths whichare blocked when the center of the sub region 14 e is touched. FIGS. 11Aand 11B are graphs that illustrate the shapes of received intensities ofsurface acoustic waves in the case that the center of the sub region 14e is touched, and indicate detected positions in the X axis directionand in the Y axis direction, respectively. Paths 36 a and 38 b ofsurface acoustic waves, which are blocked by the contact position 36,appear as decreased received signal intensities within regions X3 and Y3in graph G9 of FIG. 11A and graph G10 of FIG. 11B. It is judged that thetouched contact position 36 is within the sub region 14 e, based onthese detection results.

The steps which are undertaken for images to be displayed when one ofthe sub regions 14 is touched in this manner are as follows. First, thecontroller (not shown) detects switching input based on the changes inreceived signals. Next, the controller transmits an ON/OFF signal for acorresponding switch, by I/O (input/output) output. Examples of ONswitching include: booting up of the PC, displaying an OSD (On ScreenDisplay) menu, starting a vertically inverted display function, and thelike. The controller may directly perform the switching operation,instead of the ON/OFF signal being transmitted to the PC.

Next, a case in which two contact positions are touched simultaneouslywill be described with reference to FIG. 12, FIG. 13A, and FIG. 13B.FIG. 12 is a front view that illustrates signal paths which are blockedwhen the center of the main region 10 and the center of the sub region14 e are touched simultaneously. FIGS. 13A and 13B are graphs thatillustrate the shapes of received intensities of surface acoustic wavesin the case that the center of the main region 10 and the center of thesub region 14 e are touched, and indicate detected positions in the Xaxis direction and in the Y axis direction, respectively. The touchedcontact positions 24 and 36 correspond to the contact positions 24 and36 illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 10. Accordingly, graphs G11 and G12are combinations of graphs G3 and G4 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, and graphs G9and G10 of FIGS. 11A and 11B. That is, graph G11 of FIG. 13A is acombination of graphs G3 and G9, and illustrate a state in which thedepression 24 b and the decrease in output within the range X3 aredetected. In addition, graph G12 of FIG. 13B is a combination of graphsG4 and G10, and illustrate a state in which the depression 26 b and thedecrease in output within the range Y3 are detected. It is detected thattwo positions have been touched simultaneously, from the positions ofthe contact positions 24 and 36.

The operating steps in the case that the main region 10 and one of thesub regions 14 are touched simultaneously will be described. First, thecontroller detects the contact positions 24 and 36, and switching inputwithin the sub region 14 e, based on the changes in received signals.The controller transmits the contact positions to the PC as a rightclick of a PC mouse, by serial transmission. An application within thePC executes various procedures, which are performed when a PC mouse isright clicked. The touch panel 2 of the present embodiment is of theacoustic type, and therefore is capable of detected two contact pointseven when two points (two locations) are touched simultaneously.Accordingly, functions equivalent to those of a shift key and a controlkey of a PC keyboard, or equivalent to that of a right mouse click, canbe obtained. This effect can also be obtained by an optical type touchpanel.

As described above, contact positions are accurately detected no matterwhat position is touched within the detection region that includes themain region 10 and the sub regions 14, and desired data, that is,images, corresponding to the contact positions are displayed in the mainregion 10 of the touch panel 2. The sub regions 14 can be made tofunction as switches for booting up the PC, or as switches related todisplay of images within the main region 10 (a screen brightnessadjustment switch, a vertically inverted display switch, for example).Alternatively, the sub regions 14 may have a function equivalent toright clicking a PC mouse (or depressing a shift key of a PC keyboard).The switching functions may be displayed in the sub regions 14 byprinting or the like. A single function is allotted to each sub region14 c, 14 d, and 14 e, so as to enable users who surround the table (theapparatus 1) to touch the switches from any position. It is preferablefor functions which are used frequently to be allotted to the subregions 14 c and 14 d, which are comparatively larger. The apparatus 1of the present invention is configured as has been described above.Therefore, mechanical switches can be eliminated, and in combinationwith the adoption of the acoustic wave type touch panel, the apparatushas a streamlined appearance.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been describedabove. However, the present invention is not limited to the aboveembodiment. It goes without saying that various changes andmodifications are possible. For example, the sub region 14 c, which iscomparatively large, can be divided into two regions. In this case, thenumber of sub regions 14 increases by one, and the number of functionsalso increases by one. In all cases, each sub region 14 is allotted asingle function.

In addition, an embodiment that utilizes an ultrasonic touch panel hasbeen described. However, the present invention is not limited toultrasonic touch panels, and touch panels of the optical type or thedigital resistance film type may be employed. In an optical type touchpanel, pairs of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arehoused within a bezel that surrounds a detection region. Further, theimage display that displays images within the main region 10 is notlimited to the projector 6. Various other types of image displays, suchas CRT's (Cathode Ray Tubes), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panels, andFED panels may be employed.

1. An information input device, comprising: a touch panel; an imagedisplay; and a sensor section for detecting contact positions on thetouch panel; characterized by: a detection region of the touch panelsurrounded by the sensor section being divided into a rectangular mainregion and at least one sub region, which has a smaller area than themain region, is separated from the main region, and extends along atleast one edge thereof; images being displayed by the image display andcontact positions being detected in the main region; and only thepresence or absence of contact being detected in the at least one subregion.
 2. An information input device as defined in claim 1, whereinthe at least one sub region comprises: a first sub region, which isseparated from, adjacent to, and extends along a first edge of the mainregion; a second sub region, which is separated from, adjacent to, andextends along a second edge of the main region perpendicular to thefirst edge; and a third sub region, which is positioned at anintersection of the directions in which the first edge and the secondedge extend, and separated from the first sub region and the second subregion.
 3. An information input device as defined in claim 1, wherein:the touch panel is an acoustic type touch panel; and the sensor sectioncomprises reflective arrays surrounding the detection region, forreflecting acoustic waves.
 4. An information input device as defined inclaim 3, wherein: the reflective arrays are separated from one of themain region and the at least one sub region.
 5. An information inputdevice as defined in claim 3, wherein: the reflective arrays areseparated from both of the main region and the at least one sub region.6. An information input device as defined in claim 2, wherein: the touchpanel is an acoustic type touch panel; and the sensor section comprisesreflective arrays surrounding the detection region, for reflectingacoustic waves.
 7. An information input device as defined in claim 6,wherein: the reflective arrays are separated from one of-the main regionand the at least one sub region.
 8. An information input device asdefined in claim 6, wherein: the reflective arrays are separated fromboth of the main region and the at least one sub region.